FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Programs like Creative Adobe Suite for Graphic Designers, with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc. is always changing. I am always updating my skills as an artist, and keep up with the publishing business, and what it has to offer my authors.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Be careful who you sign with as an author. Have someone review your contract. Don't be over anxious, but take your time finding the right publisher for you.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
How did Coastal Winds Publishing House start? Have to go back in time, from the time I was out of high school, and then in my early 20's, with 2 children to raise, I started working in an office atmosphere, and eventually became an Admin Assistant for the Department of the Navy for many years at Bethesda Naval Hospital, and Norfolk Naval Station. I learned computers and software, accounting, finance, went to college for Business Administration. But something was missing. My family has a legacy of nurses, and from the time I was a teen, that's all I talked about. I wanted to go back to school and become a nurse. So I did with the help of my husband and my family. I went back to school for nursing, and I've worked in the ER, ICU, Surgery, Telemetry, and as a hospice nurse, which I truly loved with all my heart. As of March, 2010 I had an accident at work. In September, 2010, we found out I was sick, suspecting MS. As I sat by not knowing what I was going to do, I told my husband I needed something to do to make me fill alive again. I can't just sit by and let life pass me by. To go even further back, let's go back in the 80's and 90's, I was a recording artist, and finally made it to the Grand Ole Opry with Roy Acuff in 1996. I met and performed with a many great artists like Merle Haggard, Bobby G Rice with his song "You Lay So Easy On My Mind" and "Sugar Shack". Bobby became my manager in Nashville in 1997. I cut an album which hit the charts for many weeks. I would drive all night after getting off of work, and perform the next day in Nashville, or wherever I was booked. It was hard to do. As of 1998, I had a #1 Hit on Indy's Chart with "Deja Blue" and I knew then, it's time to stop. Knowing the music industry as I did, and all the past talents that I have gained through the years, I decided in November, 2010, I would publish books, which meant learning the industry, because in reality, there really wasn't any difference. You have a product, promote, market it, and sell it to the public. I had written a children's book "An Angel for Joey" in 2010 that I was going to have published with another firm. I decided I was going to publish my own book, and then decided why not others as well? I worked very hard, learned the business, the programs required, I was on my way. So I illustrated my own book, and to my amazment, I found how very creative I am. So everything I learned in my life's work collectively is now in "Coastal Winds Publishing House," and as a Graphic Designer/Illustrator, "IllustrationsbyPJ.com" my life is where God wants me to be. I hope that I can help you make your life's dream come true as well. God Bless.